LINKING RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
The explosion of information and communication technologies (ICT) has led to widespread predictions about their long-term impact on society, including claims that the 'information age' will revolutionize the ways in which people work, play, do business, and socialize. While the full impact of these new technologies is still a matter of speculation, in some areas—including the education sector—their potential is beginning to be realized. It is now undeniable that ICT is changing how we LEARN. At the very least, computers—once a novelty—have become a fixture in classrooms across the country, and more educators are undertaking ambitious projects to make the best use of them as tools for teaching and learning.
Recognizing the significance of information and communications technology for the education sector, the Canadian Education Association, in collaboration with Industry Canada's SchoolNet, has chosen a "Focus on... ICT" as the first of many topics to be profiled on our new Website. This site offers a unique resource, linking research and policy on ICT and education in Canada and providing a diverse selection of resources on the topic.
Questions about education and the role of technology are important not only for teachers and students but for all Canadians—present and future generations. The education system has an impact on all citizens, and the information revolution has the potential to move us closer to the goal of education as a lifelong process. This is a goal the CEA strongly supports. Canadian researchers are leading the way in helping discover the potential that ICT offers educators and the implications it has for learning, teaching, and the creation of knowledge. Decision makers and politicians are also key players, as they control the resources and policy directions that will determine how fully the promise of information technology, to both improve public education in Canada and avoid potential problems, is realized. As with any emerging issue, early awareness and sound information are essential. To ensure a clear direction for the future, we need to take the right steps now.
The debate about the best use of ICT for learning in educational settings is about what purposes are served. Here you will find four main perspectives and what the ‘CEA Says’ about this important issue.
The provision and use of ICT is affected by public policy. Learn about the main issues that policymakers face and the current state of the ‘policy landscape’—throughout Canada and internationally. You can access policy resources from all jurisdictions in this section.
Canadian researchers are pushing the frontiers of new knowledge and exploring what potential ICT holds for education, in both our public institutions and for lifelong learning. Discover more about individual researchers and the topics and research questions they are working on.
A rich database of critically screened research and information resources about education and ICT can be found here. Over the coming months, this database will continue to grow, so visit the site regularly.
